How to Write an Essay
Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a
Proper 5 Paragraph Essay
What is an Essay
• A basic essay consists of three main
parts:
INTRODUCTION
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
A CONCLUSION
The Introduction
• The introduction guides the reader into your paper by
grabbing attention and introducing the topic.
• It should name the title and author of the piece and give
a brief description of the plot of the piece.
• Introduce your essay by having a HOOK!! This is merely
a catchy first sentence that will grab the reader’s
attention
• Make sure to introduce your topic. Provide a brief
synopsis of what your topic is and also remember to
include your reference works (i.e.. John Wyndham’s The
Chrysalids)
• Where the reader finds the thesis statement, which is
the guide to the entire essay.
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Remember to have a concluding sentence in your
introduction.
The Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are
going to prove.
• It is the roadmap for your essay and explains to the
reader exactly what you will discuss in your paper.
• The thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE in
your INTRODUCTION paragraph.
• A basic thesis statement contains the topic and
the 3 main points to support the topic.
• For example, prove that Uncle Axel is one of the most
important characters in the novel The Chrysalids.
• Thesis statement:
• In the novel The Chrysalids Uncle Axel is one of
the most important characters as David`s
best friend, protector and confident.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
• In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body
paragraphs that all follow the same structure; but,
discuss and prove different points.
• Each body paragraph should discuss one of the points
in your thesis.
• You are trying to convince the reader that your point
is right.
• Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point,
and proof.
• Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your
ideas.
• Write a closing sentence.
• Do this x3
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
A full and complete paragraph consists of a MINIMUM of 8-10 sentences and
follows a specific format:
TOPIC SENTENCE (1st Sentence)
The topic sentence reflects which thesis statement point you will be discussing
in the body paragraph.
You must PROVE your POINT by providing PROOFS (examples) to support your
topic sentence.
You must COMMENT on each PROOF to further your analysis.
Therefore…POINT (topic sentence)
PROOF & COMMENT (x3)
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (last sentence)
Each paragraph should end with a final statement that brings together the
ideas brought up in the paragraph and emphasizes the main point one last
time.
Write a paragraph using the following prompt:
Explain why Uncle Axel is an important character in the
novel.
• Topic sentence: There are several reasons why Uncle Axel
is an important character in the novel, he is the
protagonist’s best friend, protector and confidant.
• The topic sentence is followed by body sentences that go
into greater detail on the topic.
Writing a paragraph con’t
• Body Sentences:
As David’s best friend, he is the only non-deviant that
David trusts enough to share his secret of telepathy
with. Uncle Axel protects David and the other
Chrysalids from people in the community of Waknuk who
would like to send them to the Fringes. He does this by
keeping David’s secret and by killing Alan, who
threatened the safety of the Chrysalids. Finally, Uncle
Axel gives David advice when he is in trouble and needs
the help of an adult. He is trustworthy and loyal, always
watching out for David’s best interest.
• Concluding sentence: Clearly, Uncle Axel is important to
the novel as he is the for the main character
David.
The Conclusion
• The conclusion brings together ALL of the main
points of the essay.
• It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS.
• The conclusion leaves the reader with a final
thought and a sense of closure by resolving any
ideas brought up in the essay.
#1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION
YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!
How to Begin
• The teacher will provide topic
questions which you should
brainstorm about. Brainstorming in
this case includes finding evidence to
support your point. (PROOF)
• You cannot make a statement about
something and not provide evidence
that shows that your statement is
correct.
Try brainstorming in this way
Uncle Axel is the
most important
character in the
novel as he advises
David, kills Alan to
support the group,
and teaches David
about life beyond
Waknuk.
Point:
Uncle Axel is the
advisor to David,
guiding him and
supporting him.
Proof:
Uncle Axel says to
David, “There isn’t
an easy way out.
you have to come
to terms with it.
You’ll have to face
it” (80).
Comment:
Therefore, Uncle
Axel supports David
by showing him
how to handle being
different from
everyone else.
Formal Writing Rules
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Do not use the first or second person (I, my, we, us).
Do not use contractions (can’t, won’t, doesn’t).
Do not use clichés, metaphors or figures of speech.
Avoid saying “The essay will discuss...” or “In my opinion...”
Avoid using “a lot”. If you do use it, take care not to repeat it often.
Avoid redundancy and repetition.
Be specific. Do not use words such as “things” or “many examples”. Do not be
vague.
Always follow MLA format (see below)
Always type and double space.
Use size 12 pt font, Times New Roman, and standard 1” margins
EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!
Save your rough work.
When writing about literature, always write in the present tense.
I.e. “The Chrysalids is a book about the future” not “The Chrysalids was a book
about the future”.
Essays should be submitted with one staple in the top left hand corner. Do not put
them in folders or duotangs.
MLA Format
• Essay written in 12 pt font, 1” margins
• No separate title page. In the top left corner of the first page of your
essay, write:
Your Name
Teacher’s Name Double spaced
Course Code
Date Submitted
• Put your last name and page number in the top corner of each page after
the title page.
• Italicize the title of the novel
• When using quotes, reference the page number in the following way:
• First quote, use the author’s name in the reference.
• “I didn't even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes”
(Wyndham 6).
MLA Continued
Second quote from the same source, no need for the author’s name.
• “I didn’t even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes”
(6).
• Submit a Works Cited page to show the resources that you have quoted
from in your essay.
The format for the Works Cited:
• Write Works Cited centered at the top of a new page. (Ensure your last
name and the page number are still included in the top right corner.)
• Each entry in the works cited should be in alphabetical order according to
the author’s last name.
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Last name, First name. Title of Book. City published: Publisher, Year.